"Celebrate Disneyland's 70th Anniversary: 12 Reasons to Visit This Summer"

Disney has officially kicked off its year-long celebration of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, and we were thrilled to get a sneak peek at all the festivities planned for Summer 2026. This comprehensive guide will provide you with everything you need to know about the entertainment, food and beverages, merchandise, and much more.

From the dazzling return of Paint the Night to nostalgic food items and an interactive Disneyland Key that unlocks surprises throughout the park, there's a lot to look forward to when planning your visit. Below, you'll find the twelve essential things you need to know about Disneyland's 70th anniversary. Let us know what excites you the most!

1. Paint the Night Is Back With Elsa, Anna, and Over One Million LED Lights

The return of Paint the Night, a beloved nighttime parade that first debuted for Disneyland’s 60th anniversary, has generated significant excitement leading up to the park’s 70th celebration. After its initial run ended in 2016, it's now back with over one million LED lights, featuring the return of Frozen’s Anna and Elsa, and more.

2. Disneyland is More Affordable Thanks to Limited-Time 70th Anniversary Ticket and Disneyland Hotel Offers

For those planning to visit Disneyland during its 70th anniversary, Disney is offering special deals to make your trip more affordable. Guests can purchase a multi-day theme park ticket for as low as $360 with a special 3-day, 1-park per day ticket. There's also an option for a 4-day, 1-park per day ticket for as low as $400. These tickets are valid from May 16 to August 14 and do not need to be used on consecutive days.

For those staying on property, guests can save up to 20% on select stays at the Disneyland Hotel between May 16 and August 14. This offer allows you to experience the hotel's own 70th anniversary celebrations, including special decorations, themed in-room celebrations, unique beverages, and more.

Staying at a Disneyland Resort also means you're just steps away from Downtown Disney, which is adorned for the occasion. Alongside 70th anniversary medallions featuring favorite Disney characters for great photo opportunities and other decorations, the path to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure continues to offer a variety of food and shopping experiences.

3. World of Color Happiness! - A New Version of the Disney California Adventure Water Show Featuring Inside Out

World of Color Happiness! is the new nighttime spectacular at Disney California Adventure and marks the seventh iteration of World of Color since its debut in 2010. This show celebrates happiness with over one million water fountains and projections, drawing inspiration from Walt Disney’s opening day park dedication: “To all who come to this happy place… welcome!”

Inside Out’s emotions are prominently featured in World of Color Happiness!, with Joy and the other emotions integrated into the logo. Guests can influence the show by voting on whether Sadness, Anger, Disgust, or Envy appear in various scenes via the Disneyland app.

World of Color Happiness! also includes a brand new pre-show with The Muppets, who are celebrating their 70th anniversary this year. Musical highlights include a special rendition of ‘Rainbow Connection’ by Boyz II Men and a new original song, ‘Makes Me Wanna Move,’ by FITZ.

For insights into the 2023 World of Color - ONE for Disneyland’s 100th anniversary, check out our review, another impressive and emotional show.

4. Wondrous Journeys Celebrates Over 60 Walt Disney Animation Studios Films With Fireworks, Projections, and Music

Disneyland’s nighttime spectacular, Wondrous Journeys, which debuted for Disney’s 100th anniversary, returns for the park’s 70th. This show celebrates over 60 films from Walt Disney Animation Studios, illustrating "the possibilities, excitement, heartache, and determination we all face when working to make our dreams come true,” according to Disney.

Wondrous Journeys remains a favorite among fans of all ages, offering slightly different experiences depending on your location within Disneyland. Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, Rivers of America, and the façade of it’s a small world each provide unique moments and perspectives.

Read our thoughts on Wondrous Journeys in our Disney 100th Anniversary Guide, but know that this is a must-see show filled with heart, emotion, and truly special moments.

5. Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! Shines a Spotlight on the Importance of Friendship with Toy Story, Coco, and More

Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! is another returning parade for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, featuring fan-favorite characters from beloved Pixar films such as Toy Story, The Incredibles, Turning Red, Luca, Soul, Coco, Inside Out, Monsters, Inc., and Up.

The parade remains largely unchanged from its debut during Pixar Fest 2024 and continues to be fun while conveying its message of friendship and acceptance.

Susana Tubert, creative director at Disney Live Entertainment, shared, “This parade wants to honor and celebrate the more recent films that Pixar produced where you feel like there are characters who feel lesser than… like they don’t belong. And through these friendships, they're upheld, they're celebrated, and they're accepted. And that's the message that we want this parade to share with our guests - that it's okay to be you, that you can bring your authentic self to Disneyland, and at the end of the day, we're better together.”

6. Tapestry of Happiness Brings a Special Projection Show to it’s a small world that Celebrates Disneyland’s Past

The Tapestry of Happiness at it’s a small world was a delightful surprise during the Disneyland 70th Anniversary Media Preview. This roughly five-minute show transforms the façade of it’s a small world with projection effects and music, celebrating the history of Disneyland in a beautiful way.

Inspired by Disney Legend Mary Blair, who designed the timeless it’s a small world, the show highlights many of Disneyland’s iconic attractions and shows, including Pirates of the Caribbean, the Main Street Electrical Parade, the Enchanted Tiki Room, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and more. The experience is enhanced with songs from these attractions woven into The Jonas Brothers’ ‘Celebrate Happy’ Disneyland 70th Anniversary theme song.

Additionally, Coco's Miguel and Dante have been added to it’s a small world in honor of the 70th anniversary, and a brand-new verse from the late Richard M. Sherman will be added on July 17.

7. The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade at Disneyland Stars Duffy and ShellieMay

We were excited to see The Celebrate Happy Cavalcade led by Duffy and ShellieMay during the 70th Anniversary Media Preview. Duffy, originally designed as the “Disney Bear” in 2002 for Disney World’s Disney Springs, became a sensation at Tokyo Disney Resort with a new name, story, and friends like ShellieMay.

Now, Duffy and ShellieMay get their moment to shine stateside alongside other Disney favorites in this smaller yet captivating parade.

8. Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! Is the Perfect Place to Take Your Kids For Some Dancing and Fun

Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! is a delightful surprise aimed at younger guests, encouraging them to dance and sing along with Mickey and his friends. This time, Mickey and Minnie are on a mission to find Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto, missing from their party. The adventure takes them through differently themed houses, complete with bubbles and fake snow, offering a fun escape from the heat and a chance for kids to let loose with their favorite characters.

9. Disneyland 70th Merch, Led by the Disneyland Key, Is a Celebration of Today and Yesterday

As with any significant milestone at a Disney Park, a plethora of new merchandise is available to celebrate Disneyland’s 70th anniversary. The team at Disney aimed to honor both the past and present, but the standout item is the interactive Disneyland Key.

This key allows guests to “unlock magic” in all nine lands of Disneyland. Each land has a not-so-hidden lock and keyhole, and unlocking it triggers special effects like music and lights, adding the land’s icon to your key. You don’t need to complete the quest in one visit as it saves your progress. Once all lands are unlocked, head to the Mickey Topiary Finale lock by the park entrance for the final surprise: a secret compartment in the key unlocks to reveal one of nine commemorative trading pins representing the lands of Disneyland.

Disneyland 70th Anniversary Merch

View 15 ImagesYou can explore all the 70th Anniversary merchandise offerings in the slideshow above and here.

10. Disneyland Food and Drinks Offer a Window Back in Time With a Delicious Twist

Trying new food and drink offerings during a Disney celebration is a must, and the 70th anniversary is no exception. Over 70 items await, blending new delights with dishes inspired by Disneyland’s past. Chef Steven Medina and his team wanted guests to experience a taste of the park's opening day, including recreations like the Banana Split and Apple Pancake Rolls.

Disneyland 70th Anniversary Food and Drinks

View 5 ImagesAmong the new offerings is the 70th Celebration Churro, a twist on the classic park treat, featuring an ube sugar coating, marbled blue raspberry drizzle, and sprinkles that echo the anniversary's vibrant colors.

You can explore all the 70th anniversary food offerings in the slideshow above and here.

11. Toy Story Midway Mania!, Carthay Circle, Downtown Disney, and Much More

There's a wealth of experiences for Disneyland's 70th anniversary. Toy Story Midway Mania! at Disney California Adventure has received a glow-up with 70th anniversary stickers from Andy that award bonus points when hit, adding flair to the attraction.

Celebrate Happy: A Little Bit of Magic Every Night will illuminate the exterior of Carthay Circle with lights, projections, and a special appearance by Tinker Bell. Animation Courtyard, one of the most beloved spots in Disneyland, now includes Encanto, Coco, Soul, The Princess and the Frog, Zootopia, and Moana.

For those with MagicBand+, there are special interaction points throughout the park, including at Jungle Cruise and Frontierland, that print out commemorative tickets celebrating this milestone.

12. Walt Disney - A Magical Life and More Experiences to Come

While the celebrations for Disneyland’s 70th begin on May 16, the actual anniversary is on July 17, the same day Walt Disney - A Magical Life will debut. This marks the first time Walt Disney will be featured as an Audio-Animatronic, welcoming guests into his office to share his story.

We recently visited Imagineering to learn more about this project, and you can read all about how Disney is bringing Walt back to life. This experience will open alongside an Evolution of a Dream exhibit featuring items from Walt’s past and another celebrating the history of Disney’s cast members.

For more, check out our story on how a century of Disney Magic began and our list of the 25 best Disney animated movies of all time.